Taiwan is holding live-fire military exercises following extended threats against the island by China.
Artillery and assault helicopters fired at targets off the west coast city of Taichung on Thursday, while Mirage fighter jets took off amid rainy conditions from the air base at Hsinchu to the north.
The drills are Taiwan's first since Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 2 reasserted Beijing's willingness to use military force to bring self-ruling Taiwan under Chinese control.
The drills also follow a new Pentagon report laying out US concerns about China's growing military might, underscoring worries about a possible attack against Taiwan.
Taiwan's independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen has made national defence a priority and has refused China's demand that she recognise Taiwan as a part of China.
Australian Associated Press